Elser Family Blog

Happy Birthday to Rockwell!

Kathi took Rockwell and his friends to the trampoline place. It was a lot of fun!

r+1 (706) 831-7898

Rockwell in the VI

Here is a little celebration video Rockwells teacher sent me from the VI. To be honest, I have not quite figured out what they are saying…. OK, so Kathi cleared that up.. they are saying
“Momma bake me a Johnny cake, Christmas coming, ooh ah, Christmas coming, ooh ah, New Years coming, ooh ah, Christmas coming, ooh ah, New Years coming, ooh ah……”

News from Country Day School in the Virgin Islands

Here is the most recent newsletter from the school that Melinda and Rockwell go to. Rockwell is mentioned for showing in a recent Track meet they had. Check out what is going on down there! Click on the picture for a readable larger version.

Happy Birthday Rockwell!

My boy is growing up quick. I cant wait to see all of them in a few days.

Getting some last minutes things done on the house. so far so good. I also have to load some pictures of the great visit from my sisters! Melinda and Beck and a friend stopped by and we had a great visit. Ate at a couple local places (Al’s and Manuel’s) and just checked out the town. The visit reminded me we live in a pretty nice place.

Anyway.

I’m not done yet.

I’m not done bragging, that is.

Rockwell just got his ABA (American Bicycle Assn) magazine in the mail.

Turns out Rockwell is ranked 30th in the state in points, and 3rd in his age bracket! In the whole state! Whats crazy is he only started racing this last summer, so he missed all the points that come with the spring series! Oh, and BTW, he did that using the tracks loaner bike.  Kathi said he is really missing his bike. One funny anecdote… Kath said that during the duathlon, the bike section of the race was a loop in a parking lot with speed bumps. While some of the kids where slowing down to go over them, Rockwell was jumping them at full speed. Funny. Sounds like Rockwell.

Also, he was promoted from the novice category to the intermediate category, so he will probably be racing against older kids when he gets back.

Anyway, here is Rockwells name in the magazine: (Click for larger picture)

Chicken theater & BMX

I don’t know why I find this so entertaining, but I do.. It’s so funny watching the chickens chase after these bugs!

Last night Was Rockwell’s first “official” race as a NBL member. He did really well! He is down to 1 minute from the gate to the finish line.. If that does not mean anything to you, consider that that is my same pace! I can’t believe he is already as fast as I am.

Melinda at the BMX track!

Melinda must have been impressed with that trophy Rockwell got.. because she wants to race too. So we decided to visit the track tonight. It’s a practice night. When she first got on the track she was timid, but it took her all of 5 times around the track to be right in the mix with the other kids!
It was funny; at first she wanted NOTHING to do with that gate. It was way too loud and intimidating. Then, somewhere along the line I told her she was going to have to try the gate sooner or later, because you have to start against it if you race.
About 5 minutes later, I look around, and she is trying it by herself! Normally I would help hold her back wheel and set up, but she just did it on her own. This was a little after the Gate manager spent about 5 minutes with Rockwell, showing him how to balance. Obviously she was listening in too!
About 4 gates later, she is actually balancing at the gate. That is no minor fete. That is what this video is..

Here is a good picture of BOTH of them balancing at the gate.

Church had the rally day this weekend, so I got the cotton candy machine AND the popcorn machine out of storage. It was quite a hit. Nothing like some good old fashioned popcorn made with coconut oil to remind you what popcorn is supposed to taste like. Specifically, not out of the microwave…

Rockwells first BMX race.

Rockwell really did well for his first day racing! He came in third during the heats, and 4th in the final race. I’d say a successful day! The first heat he was in a pretty bad three bike crash in the 4th turn, but he got right back up and crossed the finish line. I checked on him and asked him if he was OK, and he said “I’m fine dad!” as in “I’m having too much fun to worry about it”.
I have a feeling you are going to see a lot more posts concerning BMX in the future!

Memorial Day

Rockwell at the memorial park. He will appreciate the significance one day. Today is not the day.. Memorials are just cool things to climb on..:)
It occurs to me that this is a memorial to the confederate soldiers, and not really the union soldiers. Sort of an interesting concept, no? This is not a memorial to my union ancestors. I have to go north for that.

Here is to all of the people that have sacrificed in so many ways for the “American way” May their sacrifice not go to waste.